The Lord of Void and Real

“Getting to eat chicken in the evening! Shen brother, we’re fortunate because of you.” Said Yu Meng, drooling as he looked at the dishes on the table.

A variety of dishes had been spread across the table, mostly vegetarian, but there were three meat dishes, two plates of slightly black meat chunks, and a whole, braised chicken.

However, these dishes looked rather ordinary in Shen Luo’s eyes. Back in Chunhua County, any meal would be far more sumptuous than this.

It seemed that food was rather scarce in this era!

Just then, Yu Meng’s big hand reached impatiently for a chicken leg.

“You brat, you don’t eat first before the guest moves their chopsticks, nor do you use such a method. Aren’t you any different from the barbarians of the Nanli Prairie?” A cold snort sounded from the side, and the angry form of Yu Yan came strolling out.

“Father, you’re here.” Yu Meng quickly withdrew his hand, saying awkwardly.

“Uncle Yu, just now when Brother Yu and I walked past your study, we went in to read a bit. We lost track of time, please forgive us!” Shen Luo quickly stood up and bowed in greeting.

“So my dear nephew was reading. It’s rare for someone to enter my study. Did you find anything useful?” Yu Yan turned towards Shen Luo, his attitude changing.

“Thanks to Uncle, this junior did indeed gain a little knowledge.” Shen Luo replied softly.

“That’s good that you found it beneficial. As for you, my rebellious son, you can’t learn anything and are always jumping around. If only you had half of Shen’s patience and could read some books, you might have learned a little more from me.” Yu Yan first nodded approvingly, then scolded Yu Meng.

“Those books in the study, Father, you don’t read much either, right? They’re only for show…” Yu Meng rubbed his nose, muttering vaguely.

“Impudent!” Yu Yan slapped the table in a fit of anger.

Yu Meng fell silent, not daring to say anything further.

“That’s enough. You’ve worked hard in defending the city. Let’s eat first.” Yu Yan saw his son staying silent, though his face still held a stubborn look. Sighing, he waved his hand for the two to sit down and started to eat.

Having fought for half of the day, Yu Meng was starving. He sat down without hesitation and began to eat heartily.

Although Shen Luo was a bit hungry too, as a guest, he couldn’t help but be more modest.

But as soon as he sat down, Yu Meng put a chicken leg into his bowl.

“Here, eat some more! Eat up so you have strength to kill those Demon Wolves!”

“Are those wolves likely to attack again?” The image of the wolf-headed humanoid and the flitting figure of the Cyan Strange Wolf appeared in Shen Luo’s mind.

“From what we’ve seen in the past, they won’t easily give up. What do you think, Father?” Yu Meng, his mouth already full of food, looked toward his father, asking in a muffled voice.

“I’m not sure. The government has dispatched people to scout the whereabouts of the wolf pack, but the lead monster has grown more sly and we can’t figure out their next move.” A layer of worry flashed across Yu Yan’s eyes.

“In that case, I should stay at the city gate tonight to guard against unexpected situations.” Standing up, Yu Meng proposed.

“I’ll go as well, to lend Brother Yu a hand.” Shen Luo also stood.

“There’s no need. You’ve been defending the city for days and are already weary. Rest well at home tonight, you can take your shift another day.” Yu Yan waved them off.

“Alright, if the local government has any arrangements, Father, please let me know ahead of time.” Yu Meng advised.

Yu Yan waved them dismissively, telling the two to sit down and continue eating.

“Father, when I went to buy Talisman Paper and Cinnabar for you today, I ran into something interesting…” Yu Meng kept on chatting throughout dinner, regaling his family with the day’s exploits.

Yu Yan looked at his son, a stern face belying deep affection in his eyes.

Shen Luo occasionally added a comment or two, and they soon finished their enjoyable meal.

“Given the city’s siege by the Demon Wolves, may last quite some time. Brother Shen, if you’re willing, stay at my place.” Yu Meng suddenly offered with a laugh.

Shen Luo found Yu Meng’s offer enticing.

He had not yet found a way back to reality and staying here did seem like a good idea. He could continue to gather information and unravel the truth behind this dream, and perhaps learn more about Talisman Techniques from Yu Yan.

“Dear Nephew Shen, where are you from?” Yu Yan also put down his chopsticks, took a sip of tea, and asked.

“I am originally from Chunhua County in Deng Ping.” Shen Luo didn’t lie about his origins.

Seeing that Yu Yan was well-traveled, he might have already guessed Shen Luo’s origin from his accent and attire. Lying would be counterproductive.

“Chunhua County in Deng Ping? I heard that place was destroyed by a beast wave a few years ago.” Yu Meng exclaimed, surprised.

“I lived on the outskirts of Chunhua County, which is relatively safe.” Shen Luo could only reply ambiguously.

“In these troublesome times, with all the demons and beasts running rampant, why did you leave your home to come here?” Yu Yan put down the teacup he was holding and asked.

“I left home a while ago due to certain reasons and got lost on the way, accidentally entering the territory of Donglai County, and ended up trapped in the city as soon as I entered.” Shen Luo had already thought up an excuse.

“You’re indeed lucky to have made it to the city alive… The world is in turmoil, people are suffering, and we can only hope that the immortals and Buddhas will come soon to end this chaos and save the people.” Seeing Shen Luo’s natural responses, Yu Yan put aside his slight doubts and began to pray quietly with a hand clasped in front of him.

Yu Meng bowed his head and said nothing, seeming to quietly offer his prayers as well.

“Uncle Yu, Brother Yu, there’s something I’ve always wondered about. Why are there so many wolf beasts attacking the city?” After a moment of silence, Shen Luo brought up his question.

“Hasn’t it always been this way that every once in a while, large groups of beasts and monsters attack human cities?” Yu Meng touched his head, puzzled.

“Actually, what I really want to know is, where are these wolf beasts coming from?” Shen Luo made his question straightforward.

Upon hearing this, the Yan father and son exchanged glances and turned to look at Shen Luo with strange eyes.

“Brother Shen, don’t you know the legend of ‘Demons Swallowing the Sky, Heavenly Fire Descending’?” Yu Meng asked in return.

“To be honest, the village where I used to live was very remote, almost completely isolated from the outside world, so I really don’t know much about the outside world.” Shen Luo said calmly.

“I see, no wonder I found Brother Shen’s dress a bit strange earlier.” Yu Meng finally understood.

“Since you know nothing about the world, dear nephew, I will have to start from the beginning.” Yu Yan remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking.

“Sir, I’m all ears!”